玄関（げんかん、genkaん）
- entrance

玄関 is the Japanese word for "entrance" or "entryway" of a house, building, or other structure. It's the space just inside the front door, where you typically take off your shoes and sometimes greet visitors. It's a crucial part of Japanese homes and buildings, often reflecting the overall aesthetic and functionality of the space. The 玄関 plays a significant role in Japanese culture, emphasizing cleanliness and respect for the home.

⚫︎玄関で靴を脱いでください。 Translation: Please take off your shoes in the entrance. ⚫︎新しい家に広い玄関が欲しいです。 Translation: I want a large entrance in my new house. ⚫︎玄関に傘立てがあります。 Translation: There is an umbrella stand in the entrance.

You use 玄関 when referring to the entry space of a building. It's common in everyday conversations about visiting someone's home, discussing house layouts, or describing the features of a building. It's important when discussing the area where shoes are removed, and guests are welcomed.

⚫︎The word is primarily written using kanji: 玄関. ⚫︎The reading is げんかん in hiragana. ⚫︎There is no common usage of katakana. ⚫︎There are no variations in okurigana for this word.

There aren't many direct synonyms, but words related to entry or space might be used: ⚫︎入口 (iriguchi) - entrance, doorway ⚫︎門 (mon) - gate ⚫︎エントランス (entorasu) - entrance (loanword from English)

There aren't direct antonyms, but the areas further inside the home, such as a living room (居間 - ima) or bedroom (寝室 - shinshitsu), would be considered the opposite of the entrance in terms of location.

お客様が玄関で待っています。 ・Translation: The guest is waiting at the entrance. ・Explanation: This sentence describes someone waiting at the entry space.

この玄関はとても明るいですね。 ・Translation: This entrance is very bright. ・Explanation: This sentence is commenting on the brightness of the entryway.

The kanji 玄 (gen) means "dark, mysterious," and 関 (kan) means "barrier, pass." Together, 玄関 (げんかん) can be interpreted as the "mysterious pass" or the boundary between the outside world and the interior of a building.